Stem 101

[AlanD]

Go wider, you can always cut it. Don't worry about the rise as you can play with steerer spacer placement to counter that (withing reason). The 780 will seem intimidating at first but give it a try and cut it down if you feel the need. I can vouch for those bars. I still have them on my downhill bike. Good quality and great value.

Ok cool, will give it a go. Next month or so. Told the wife a would stop buying mtb stuff....she laughed at me

[Hairy]

Rapide have 2 bar types: the flat bar which is 720mm with 8 degree bend and 5 mm rise or drop and the riser bar which is 780mm with 9 degree sweep and also 5mm rise or drop.

 

Which is best as I have the flat bar with 5 degree sweep and it feels ok and was firted when I went for my bike setup?

The Rapide 780mm bar is actually a very good feeling bar ... feels better than some more expensive bars I have tried. Note this is a personal opinion on "feel"

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The Rapide 780mm bar is actually a very good feeling bar ... feels better than some more expensive bars I have tried. Note this is a personal opinion on "feel"

Agreed. I'd buy it over and over again if i ever needed a new bar. 

[JXV]

I have a 90mm stem currently but want to try one slighlt shorter, say 80mm. Will this small change make a difference?

 

I feel maybe a shorter stem will give me more bend in my arms making them a little looser

You will feel a 10mm change but the difference will be slight going from 90 to 80. I agree with others rather try a 70mm or 60mm.

 

My LBS has a few used stems that they lend out for a few days to those that want to try a different length stem. Ask your LBS

[JXV]

Ok so I like to ride trails, no marathon type stuff and by no means Downhill crazy stuff.

 

Mostly ride rietvlei and thaba as they local for me.

 

I like the new stem and feels really great. I also like the idea of getting a wider bar and then cutting to size instead of multiple bars.

 

Currelty its a flat bar with a 5 degree sweep. So, should sweep remain and if I do end up going wider then should the stem change also?

 

Im not a tall guy, 1.74 or so and dont have long arms so would a wider bar not stretch me out too much? What about nabbing the bars on tight tree sections?

In a previous post you said your bars are 660mm. That is quite narrow by modern standards especially if you are riding bigger wheels like 29er or 27.5.

 

I was happy with 660mm bars on my 26er but ended up at about 740mm on a new 29er. It felt weird for only the first ride and after that just better. More leverage over the bigger wheel and more precise for steering. I find my hands settling towards the inside of the grips so I could probably cut them to 720 and still be happy.

 

Start with a longish bar, go for a ride or two then if you want them shorter, cut no more than 10mm each side and do few more rides before cutting again until you are happy.

 

I cut too much when I got my 29er and consequently wasted a very nice Easton EC70 carbon riser bar....... school fees!

[AlanD]

 

In a previous post you said your bars are 660mm. That is quite narrow by modern standards especially if you are riding bigger wheels like 29er or 27.5.

 

I was happy with 660mm bars on my 26er but ended up at about 740mm on a new 29er. It felt weird for only the first ride and after that just better. More leverage over the bigger wheel and more precise for steering. I find my hands settling towards the inside of the grips so I could probably cut them to 720 and still be happy.

 

Start with a longish bar, go for a ride or two then if you want them shorter, cut no more than 10mm each side and do few more rides before cutting again until you are happy.

 

I cut too much when I got my 29er and consequently wasted a very nice Easton EC70 carbon riser bar.......

 

I have a 26er. Will try a wider bar, the rapide 780mm as asvised and se how it goes.

 

Like you say, can cut it down to suite as needed but in small increments.

[AlanD]

Couldn't help myself and got the rapide 780mm bar as advised seing as though the stem workwd put sp well and went for a ride at thaba trails.

 

I must say, tha bar does feel very nice and comfortable although it felt super weird and awkward at first due to the lenght.

 

I was thinking I need to cut it a little but as I got into my ride I kinda forgot about it and got used to it

 

I then decided to have a few more rides before deciding to cut but I think maybe 10mm or 20mm each side but not sure at this stage.

 

One thing is for sure, the control you get is unreal and really liked that. I did have slight pressure on the wrists due to the extea lenght as well as slight pressure on the lower back but I think this is because my position has changed and it's about getting used to it.

 

I felt a little more upright and even more looser and that felt great.

 

All in all really happy with the difference.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Awesome! Just do yourself a favour before you cut it. Move the grips in 5mm at a time, until you get the right fit. THEN cut. Nothing worse than cutting then finding that the previous setting was actually your ideal width

[AlanD]

Awesome! Just do yourself a favour before you cut it. Move the grips in 5mm at a time, until you get the right fit. THEN cut. Nothing worse than cutting then finding that the previous setting was actually your ideal width

Ok so move the grips in, then ride like that till you find the lenght and then cut instead of cutting two or three times?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ok so move the grips in, then ride like that till you find the lenght and then cut instead of cutting two or three times?

Yes. And then when you think you've found the right size, just repeat the process to be absolutely sure. IE move them out by 5mm at a time until you reach the end. If you like them at, say, 740 & 780, then switch between them on a section of trail that you REALLY like, and has an element of technical difficulty so you can make a proper decision. Repeat that section of trail multiple times in one length, adjust, test again

[AlanD]

Yes. And then when you think you've found the right size, just repeat the process to be absolutely sure. IE move them out by 5mm at a time until you reach the end. If you like them at, say, 740 & 780, then switch between them on a section of trail that you REALLY like, and has an element of technical difficulty so you can make a proper decision. Repeat that section of trail multiple times in one length, adjust, test again

Ok that makes sense but one thing, I have those esi grips on so moving them in will be a little tricky as they are firmly stuck.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ok that makes sense but one thing, I have those esi grips on so moving them in will be a little tricky as they are firmly stuck.

Oh. That's a bit difficult then!

 

May be worth getting some cheap ass lock-on grips for the testing phase

[AlanD]

Oh. That's a bit difficult then!

 

May be worth getting some cheap ass lock-on grips for the testing phase

That's exactly what I was thinking. Will look for some. Thanks for all the advice R.man, its made a big difference for me.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Will look for some. Thanks for all the advice R.man, its made a big difference for me.

pleasure, dude. It's all about the enjoyment

[BenReaper]

Planning on getting two of these bars at the end of the month,managed to convince the wife that she also NEEDS one to help make her bike more comefortable and better handling,thus making the ride more enjoyable.[emoji48]

Sadly I already spent my monthly cycling allowance,so I will just have to wait patiently.